We really like our 1998 Cannondale RT3000. Our late production bike is
a bit different then the catalog photo above. Here is a picture of
Debbie with the Bike(152K) a few days
after we bought it. We picked the Cannondale because it fit
us reasonably well, has lots of room in the back,
it was a year-end close out special and because Cannondale
filled it chock full of high end components.
Good Points
First and most importantly, the bike fits us. It doesn't matter how
good a bike is if it doesn't fit. The frame is very stiff. For the most
part we like that although it can be a bit much on bad roads. With one exception, the
high end components really help make the RT3000 a great bike.
The
Phil Wood Hubsare smooth, quiet and just plain cool. The
threads on the left side of the rear hub are for an Arai drum brake. The drum
brake is usefull when the bike has a full touring load. With all the
extra weight rim brakes alone can generate enough heat to melt tires!
The Magura hydraulic brakes are great. They are simply the best brakes I've
ever used on any bike ever. Even with all the extra weight our tandem stops
better with the Maguras then any of my other bikes. They are a perhaps half a
pound heavier then conventional brakes though. The iris blue paint job is top-notch.
Neutral Points
Set up to ride the bike weighs in at just under 40lbs. 140mm rear hub spacing is perhaps a bit narrow for an 8-speed
tandem. Although we've had no wheel problems, the rear wheel is not
very strong lateraly. Starting in '99 Cannondale has gone to a more reasonable
145mm.
Bias -- I'm a firm believer in wide hub flanges. I've kept all my single bikes with strong
135mm 7-speed hubs.
Bad Points
Keeping with the high-end parts theme, Cannondale choose Shimano's top-of-the-line XTR
Rapid Rise rear derailleur. It's been a bit of a pain to keep adjusted though.
The spring in the Rapid Rise derailleur works backwards from 'normal'. Spring
pressure moves the chain towards the larger cogs, cable pressure towards the smaller ones.
Perhaps not the best thing for the long cable path on a road tandem with Bar Cons. I've recently replaced
it with an used STX derailleur from my spare parts bin. So far the STX
has worked much better.
Our views on saddles for tandems.
Rear rack mounting details.
Coming Soon: Computer Mounting details
Coming Later: An improved review of the bike.
Back to the index
Copyright 1998, 1999 Andrew Fischer
The
Phil Wood Hubsare smooth, quiet and just plain cool. The
threads on the left side of the rear hub are for an Arai drum brake. The drum
brake is usefull when the bike has a full touring load. With all the
extra weight rim brakes alone can generate enough heat to melt tires!
The Magura hydraulic brakes are great. They are simply the best brakes I've
ever used on any bike ever. Even with all the extra weight our tandem stops
better with the Maguras then any of my other bikes. They are a perhaps half a
pound heavier then conventional brakes though. The iris blue paint job is top-notch.